Real Clues

[RealClues] #392: Predictions

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You're Invited:
Please join me January 7, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern (Noon Central, 11:00 a.m. Mountain, and 10:00 a.m. Pacific) for a great webinar to help you launch your 2010 with a bang. "Smash Your Competition on Listing Appointments with 2010's Hottest Web Strategies" has received rave reviews. You will learn how to easily capture leads from the web as well as converting virtually every one of your listing appointments into signed listings for you. UnitedLane.com has graciously agreed to sponsor a series of webinars throughout 2010 to help you build your business. Best of all, there's no charge to you due to their generous sponsorship. To register:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/897792746

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Table of Contents
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1. CoachingClues: Ten Predictions for 2010
2. Welcome Notes: Welcome to the Tens
3. Reprise: Never Do another Listing Presentation Again
4. Create a Better Life: What Works Best in a Down Market--Listings, Buyers, or Both?
5. Audio Library: Listen and Learn Real Estate (190+ training sessions-big value, low cost)
*Six Hot Listing Appointment Closing Strategies
*Motivate Your Real Estate Buyers to Buy Now
*Unleashing the Power of Real Estate Testimonials
6. Featured Products: Give Yourself the Real Estate Gift that Gives You Back Thousands
7. New at LuxuryClues.com
*It's Time for Realtors to Get Face-to-Face with Their Clients.
*How to Increase Your Abundance in 2010
*The 25 Housing Markets the Most Likely to Experience Appreciation in 2010
8. Increase Your Production with Personal Coaching
9. Give Us Your Feedback on this Newsletter
10. How to Subscribe/Unsubscribe

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1. CoachingClues: The Top Ten Predictions for the Real
Estate Brokerage Industry in 2010
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What does 2010 hold for the real estate brokerage industry? While I don't own a crystal ball, here are my ten best predictions about what to expect in 2010.

1. Economic slim fast or sunshine on the horizon?
Higher unemployment and additional tax increases translate into less spendable dollars for housing. This means people can afford less resulting in more downward pressure on prices. On the flip side, sales in California and Florida are up as much as 40 to 60 percent. Real estate has usually led the way out of past recessions. Furthermore, massive congressional spending will probably result in inflation. During inflationary times, hard assets such as gold and real estate are usually the best hedges.

Prediction: Provided the new health care bill and additional congressional spending doesn't completely sink the economy, expect to see an increase in the number of sales, price stabilization, and even increases in the first time buyer price range. On the other hand, look for a reduced number of Realtors who can afford to stay in the business if they face additional taxes plus possible mandatory payments for health insurance.

2. Sales training makes a comeback.
The strong seller's market that ended with a crash in 2007 resulted in a whole new generation of Realtors who were order takers rather than salespeople. The market downturn also resulted in the elimination of most brokerage in-house training programs. Consequently it comes as no surprise that the median age of Realtors is climbing as the younger agents who lack strong sales skills are being forced out of the industry.

Prediction: Companies who move into "constant training mode" and specifically recruit and train younger agents will be the big winners in terms of market share for many years to come.

3. Digital rubber-necking: Big Brother is everywhere.
Have you ever played a Facebook game? Are you using Google voice, G-mail, or Google Docs? Did you know that using these sites could jeopardize your privacy and that of your clients? Many online games and applications have a hidden purpose: to access your private data, harvest it, and sell it to other vendors. This practice is called "data mining" and is a major business. For example, assume that you have "friended" one of your clients on Facebook. You then decide to play a Facebook game. The game application harvests information about each of your "friends" without them ever knowing or agreeing to provide access.

Prediction: Rules governing brokerage and agent obligations with respect to client privacy must be addressed now. Otherwise, look for an increasing number of lawsuits related to privacy issues.

4. Alternative business models continue to thrive.
The days of palatial real estate offices will soon be a distant memory. Numerous brokers are experimenting with new models that range from having no office whatsoever to having a small condo style office where the agents pay for the space they want.

Prediction: High costs will force major brands to scale back on office space as well as the number of agents they maintain on their rosters. If brokerages have to provide health insurance for Realtor "employees," look for an immediate purging of non-productive agents from company rosters.

5. Public grading of Realtors
An increasing number of consumers (especially those in Gen X and Gen Y) search for reviews of virtually everything online. Sites such as AngiesList.com, TripAdvisor.com and Yelp.com continue to grow in popularity as resources for third party reviews of services.

Prediction: Consumer demand will drive more companies and associations to implement online rating systems for their agents. Look for the search engines to give higher ranking to agents and companies who receive endorsements on third party sites.

6. The shadow inventory comes out of the shadow.
Some sources estimate there are 1.5 million properties that have been foreclosed upon but not yet placed back on the market. If too much of this "shadow" inventory hits the market at once, it would kill the recovery and cause another dip in prices. The result could be another major round of foreclosures. The lending institutions do not want more foreclosures nor does the administration. Under the circumstances, a controlled release of the inventory will help lenders to recoup a larger percentage of their losses.

Prediction: Look for online auctions and other creative ways to speed up the "shadow inventory" liquidation process.

7. More efficiency, less cost.
One of the most notable current trends is consolidation of services. For example, there are at least two new platforms launching in first quarter of 2010 that will allow agents and brokers to consolidate their social networking activities in one place designed specifically for Realtors.

Prediction: Look for consolidation of MLS platforms, integration of syndication, and other services into single vendor platforms.

8. Lifestyle search transforms how consumers search for listings.
Early in 2010 a new search product will hit the market that allows people to search on variables such as bus stops, schools, places of worship, etc. Website visitors will be able to search on multiple variables simultaneously and immediately identify which homes meet their lifestyle.

Prediction: Look for lifestyle search to transform how agents market property in the future including using more video, pictures, as well as better descriptors about the amenities in a particular area.

9. The upcoming real estate video revolution.
According to NAR, only one percent of all agents are using video to market their listings, yet 73 percent of the sellers would hire an agent who provides video services. Videos can be used for marketing, lead generation, lead conversion, as well as to maintain contact with your referral database.

Prediction: Look for an explosion of video products for the real estate industry including video applications for cell phones.

10. Houselogic.com is the real game changer, not RPR.
In November of 2009, NAR launched two new initiatives, RPR (Realtors Property Resource) and Houselogic.com. RPR is a national property database that aggregates property data including public records in one place. Only Realtors will be able to access RPR. While the buzz has been about RPR perhaps being a national "MLS," the truth of the matter is that Realtor.com and most major companies have been providing national listing data for years. In contrast, Houselogic.com is consumer facing. It provides a wealth of information about issues relating to living in your home as opposed to just sale or purchase issues. Visitors register to access the functionality on the site. This process allows NAR to start gathering consumer contact information.

Prediction: Look for the beginnings of a national MLS in 2010. Also, expect NAR to use Houselogic.com to dramatically increase its ability to lobby Congress with feedback from both agents and consumers.

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2. Welcome Notes
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Welcome to our new subscribers this week. Each week RealClues provides you with great strategies to improve both your business and your life. If you find this issue of RealClues helpful, take a moment to hit the "forward" button and send it to another friend in the business.

Welcome to the "tens"--2009 is history. Time to start with a fresh page in 2010. If you want to hit your production goals for 2010, here's an important secret. Review your revenue goals and your business plan at least twice per day. I have my revenue goal pasted to the bottom on my computer screen and my business plan right next to it. Also, if you haven't done so already, clean out your office, your closet, or any place where there is too much stuff. You could also tackle your undeleted emails. It makes no difference where you start. The reason? One of the principles of attraction is that you cannot attract new business (or anything else you want for that matter) unless you have room in your life for it.

Speaking of new business, on January 25, 2010, we will be launching Real Estate Coach Radio. Receive a 5 to 7 minute broadcast five days per week with real estate's top speakers, trainers, and leading agents sharing what works for them. Best of all--there's no charge to you. Listen any time at your convenience. Shows will be posted on iTunes as well as our new site for the show. Look for more information as we post the new site and prepare to launch on 1-25-10.

Have a great week!

Bernice Ross and Byron Van Arsdale, Chief Dough Makers
www.RealEstateCoach.com, www.RealEstateDough.com, www.LuxuryClues.com, www.RossdalePress.com, www.ConferenceCallTraining.com, and www.TeleconferenceLine.com

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3. Reprise: Never Do another Listing Presentation Again
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It's 2010 and the listing game has changed. Gone are the days of the brag book and "presenting" your marketing materials. If you're ready to capture more listings throughout the upcoming year, click on the link below to learn how.

http://budurl.com/4s3b

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4. Create a Better Life: What Works Best in a Down
Market--Listings, Buyers, or Both?
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This article first ran in 2007. Look at your 2009 production. Did you have more listing or buyer sales? If you want to kick up your income in 2010, pay special attention to how you can best leverage your time when it comes to your buyer-seller marketing mix. What matters is what works for you. Here's how to find out.

http://budurl.com/xblz

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5. Listen and Learn Real Estate
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Are you still waiting to order Listen and Learn Real Estate? You can now get over 190 titles in this program for only $97.00. Here are the latest additions to this fantastic library:

Brand new!
**Six Hot Listing Appointment Closing Strategies
Are you converting 95 percent of your real estate listing appointments into signed business? If not, one simple shift in your listing strategy can reap rewards for your real estate business for years to come. Master these six real estate listing strategies and discover how to easy it is to list properties at the right price and the right commission.

**Motivate Your Real Estate Buyers to Buy Now
Are you tired of hearing, "Well the market has bottomed yet?" If so, light a fire under your buyers with these four strategies that will motivate them to get off the fence and buy a home now.

**Unleashing the Power of Real Estate Testimonials
Today due to sites such as Yelp and a whole new realm of Realtor rating sites, obtaining testimonials is more important than ever to your real estate business. It's especially important to Gen X and Gen Y since they will check you out online before they ever call you to buy or sell a home. Learn how to put the power of testimonials to work in your real estate business.

Don't miss this secret strategy that will generate leads almost everyday from Twitter.

**How to Get Real Estate Leads from Twitter--Really!
This session alone is worth the price of the entire program. I used this simple approach and located 42 people who were planning to relocate to Austin--and that was just for a 12-hour period. This session tells you not only how to find these important real estate leads, it also shows you how to build a relationship that can make money for you for years to come. Best of all, you don't need a Twitter account to find them!

To order all 190+ training sessions for just $97.00: http://listenandlearnrealestate.com/amember/signup.php

Best of all-we'll be adding to the library all year long. This is the best way to keep up with the latest strategies and tactics that will leave your competition in the dust.

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6. LuxuryClues.com
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*It's Time for Realtors to Get Face-to-Face with Their Clients.
http://budurl.com/tlqf

*How to Increase Your Abundance in 2010
http://budurl.com/qnms

*The 25 Housing Markets the Most Likely to Experience Appreciation in 2010
http://budurl.com/rpyv

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7. Featured Products: Give Yourself the Real Estate
Gift that Gives You Back Thousands
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For only $69.95, you can order the 82 scripts from Waging War on Real Estate's Discounters. If you already own the book, the audio CD script set is the best way to master the principles in the book and integrate the scripts into your presentations. If you're still caving in to sellers' demands to reduce your commission, stop throwing away thousands of dollars and order today!

http://budurl.com/tqk8

And if you haven't ordered my new book, Real Estate Dough, Your Recipe for Success, it provides you with everything you need to convert 90 percent of your listing appointments into signed business and to persuade your buyers to work with you exclusively. You deserve more dough in 2010--order today, to sky rocket your real estate business to the top tomorrow for only $29.95 plus S&H.

http://budurl.com/hm5g

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9. Increase Your Production with Personal Coaching
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Looking for a well-trained coach who knows the real estate business? Our coaching team can help you increase your production and make your dreams come true. Send an e-mail to Shane@RealEstateCoach.com and we'll help find the right coach for you.

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10. Give Us Your Feedback On This Newsletter
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We want your feedback-to share your thoughts and suggestions, please e-mail us at Shane@RealEstateCoach.com.

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11. How to Subscribe/Unsubscribe
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Visit our Web site, http://www.RealEstateCoach.com to subscribe/unsubscribe to RealClues.

Copyright (c) 1996-2010, RealEstateCoach.com and Teleclass4U.com, LLC. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy, or distribute RealClues as long as this copyright notice and full information about contacting the contributors to this newsletter is attached.

Contributors to this newsletter:
Bernice Ross, MCC, and Byron Van Arsdale, MCC, Owners, www.RealEstateCoach.com, www.LuxuryClues.com, www.ConferenceCallTraining.com; www.RossdalePress.com; and www.TeleconferenceLine.com
Shane Bowlin, REC General Manager

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